A/N - Wow its been quite a while since I posted, its amazing what happens when life takes over.
I've been so inspired by the recent events and upcoming spoilers of New Girl and I am a "die hard" Ness fan - that this little ditty wouldn't leave my head until I jotted it down. I of course own nothing! Greater minds than mine are responsible for the wonderfulness :) I just borrowed them to play with for a little while :)
This is between a T/M rating for heavy subject matter (tragedy etc) nothing to bad though Please R/R !
Nick Miller is not a patient man, stubborn yes - patient no.
While honestly admitting that he can be irritatingly cautious , especially as he once put it "Never committing until he was assured of the outcome" the fact remained that he was stubbornly impatient and it has gotten him into some pretty interesting (and embarrassing) situations. Especially recently. Especially with Jess. Ah Jess...
Slapping the mail box with frustration, as he slammed the proverbial trapped door on the barrage of images and emotions that he has been assaulted with lately at the mere thought of her. Focusing instead on his mundane task of retrieving the mail.
Bills, Schmidt's pile - flyer mail that should go to Jess - wait- garbage cause if she gets a hold of it the loft will literally have sunshine as a decor.
Loftway Publishing, intrigued he flipped over the envelope.
Mr. Nicholas Miller
4D-25 Kacascada Blvd
Los Angeles CA USA
44857
Ripping it open he quickly scanned the contents...
Dear Mr Miller,
We have reviewed your novel Z is for Zombies, and feel that it is exactly the kind of publication that Loftway would like to be associated with. Our market research indicates that your novel will appeal to the core demographic that we are seeking therefore; we are pleased to offer you a publication contract for an initial first run of 300,000 copies and a generous advance of $250,000.
Please contact us at your earliest convenience to arrange a meeting to discuss the details.
Warmest Congratulations,
Miranda
Publisher
Loftway Publishing Inc.
To say he was gobsmacked would be an understatement. He practically skipped upstairs - shouting before even making it through the doorframe.
HEYY!, GUYS - HELLO. GET OUT HERE, GUYS SERIOUSLY"
"This is AMAZING, why is no one here yet HELLO"
"WHY are you shouting! What the hell is the matter - we are IN the BUILDING my friend" Schmidt started raving after emerging from his room with Cece in tow, cutting of Schmidit's tirade
Nick? are you smiling?" she asked suspiciously.
Ignoring her for the moment but being unable to remove the permasmile from his face he yelled again.
"WINSTON, c'mon man" glancing down the hall - he watched the tall man stride in anger towards them.
"JESS!" banging on her door "JESS"
"She isn't home from work yet, what in the hell is the matter with you?" Winston inquired unable to keep the irritation out of his voice.
Whipping out his phone he sent her a quick text "Come home NOW!" before addressing the 3 people before him.
"I hold in my hand a letter addressed to me from the prestigious Loftway Publishing company, they loved my book and have offered me a book deal!" Holding up his hands he called for silence as the congrats drowned him out.
"That isn't even the best part, they also have sent me an advance...OF $250,000!"
He grabbed Cece and started swinging her around in Nick's version of a happy dance - she threw back her head laughed and embraced him.
"Schmidt, let's go shopping - I want to go to dinner with everyone to celebrate! Cece can you get us a reservation at the best place in town? and WHERE is Jess? She has to hear this!"
Elated at the prospect of shopping Schmidt started rambling to himself about whether or not Nick should be an Armani Man, or a CK man and was mentally measuring his torso.
"Ok, we are in 7pm" Cece smiled as she relayed the message, brushing Schmidt's hands out of her way so that she could touch Nick's shoulder. She offered him a warm smile as she conveyed her congratulations again.
"As soon as Jess, gets home she and I will go shopping and meet you guys at the restaurant ok."
"Sure Cece"
At that moment, they heard a key turn and the door swung open revealing a worried Jessica Day.
"Nick, you're ok - I got your text and it sounded pretty urgent- what's wrong-" she stopped mid sentence as she was met with the sight of Nick Miller striding towards her with purposeful steps waving a letter like a madman and sporting the largest smile she had ever seen on a grown man. Ever.
"What?" she started hesitantly as Nick reached her and wrapped her into a gigantic bear hug - lifting her clear off the floor and swaying.
"They are publishing my novel!" he crowed refusing to loosen his grip as he set her down, leaning back just enough that he could see her expression.
"Fantastic!" she squealed yanking him back into her arms and jumping up and down with giddyness.
"Nick I am SOO PROUD of you she started," before Cece cut them off.
"I know Jess, we all are but seeing how Nick is taking us all for dinner to celebrate and you have nothing to wear WE are going shopping for a kick ass outfit - and shoes" her tone booked no argument as she forcibly dragged Jess towards the door.
"I have clothes to wear" she protested as she was shepherded to the elevator.
"Babe, trust me on this - no you don't"
"No, I do-" the rest of her protest was cut off as the door closed and the elevator began its descent.
"Well we should be going too" a nervous Schmidt now worried that Nick will have come to his senses and realized that he had asked Schmidt to take him shopping, said as he grabbed his keys and rushed out the door before Nick could say anything more.
4 hours later, the 3 guys pulled up into what Cece assured was the best restaurant in town well dressed and still riding a happiness high.
The beep of Schmidt's phone called attention to an incoming message.
"It's Cece, apparently Jess forgot some hair contraption that she refuses to do without even though its circa 1925 and shouldn't see the light of day ever again so they are swinging by the loft to pick it up and should be here in 10. We are to head in and get the table."
Shaking his head with a smile at the image of Jess he conjured up, Nick lead the way in.
15 minutes later, during a particularly interesting rendition of Schmidt's latest escapade that landed him $20 poorer and the douchebag jar $20 richer Nick was stopped cold by the sight coming towards them.
Jess.
Jess in a very short, figure hugging pink dress that accentuated her delicate feminine beauty which caused his throat to constrict, his fists to clench and his imagination to take a very sharp turn into Gutterville USA.
His trained derailed as he met her eyes and was physically taken aback by the utter sadness he saw there.
Standing quickly he reached for her as she neared the table.
"What's wrong" scared of the answer.
She pulled him close, "Nick I am so so sorry - when I got to the loft your mother called me she still has my number for emergencies. Nick we have to go, it's your dad he...he is gone. she finished barely audible.
He stepped back from her warm embrace to see her face. Shock written all over his.
"What, Jess what are you saying to me" his voice was desperate laced with anger.
"Nick I am sorry, he died this afternoon. You have to go home to Chicago immediately"
She reached for him again, intending on comforting the only way she knew how as the other stood. Unable to process he twisted past her and raced for the exit.